Raewyn Bhana and her husband, George Ngatai, share their story on a documentary titled Love Without Borders. Photo: Supplied
A new documentary has cast a spotlight on intercultural marriages in New Zealand, exploring the complexities and conversations that arise when love transcends cultures.
Produced by KiwiOra Community Trust and supported by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Love Without Borders follows the experiences of two couples whose relationships have crossed cultural and ethnic boundaries.
The 35-minute documentary first screened at Event Cinemas in the South Auckland suburb of Manukau in June.
"A casual conversation at my workplace sort of transpired into this idea," said Ajay Vasisht, one of the film's producers.
Vasisht, a well-known figure in the Indian media scene for his work with TVNZ, Radio Tarana, Humm FM and feature films, had recently been involved with KiwiOra Trust.
"Some of my friends have been talking about their children dating people from other cultures," he said. "That sparked a wider conversation, which eventually led to this documentary."
Vasisht said while New Zealand generally embraced diversity, intercultural marriages were still uncommon in some communities, particularly among Indians.
"We tend to prefer marrying within our own culture," he said. "It felt more comfortable. There was a belief that people from similar backgrounds thought the same way and shared the same values.
"It's understanding that you think the same way [and] share similar sort of background and values."
However, he has noticed attitudes beginning to shift.
"People seem more open now, and that was one of the themes we tried to explore," he said.
Ajay Vasisht is a co-producer of Love Without Borders. Photo: Supplied
Vasisht believed open dialogue was essential for building social connection.
"The more we talked to each other and understood different cultures, the fewer divisions we had in society," he said. "That was what we wanted to show. When we got to know each other, acceptance became easier."
Vasisht admitted the process was not without difficulties.
Gaining the trust of potential participants was a major hurdle.
"There was hesitation [in] sharing personal stories," he said. "Many couples weren't sure how the topic would be handled."
He said it was his first time producing a documentary, which made the process more complex.
The film featured two couples: Raewyn Bhana (Ngāpuhi) and her husband, George Ngatai (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto), and Tony and Catherine Kake.
"Growing up as an Indian Māori has always been complicated," Bhana said.
"Some Māori people didn't realise I could speak te reo and I'd hear them say, 'What is this Indian doing on the marae?'" she said.
Her father was from Gujarat, India, and her mother was Māori.
"For Māori, I looked Indian. For Indians, I looked Māori," she said.
Bhana and her whānau planned to spend more time in India while continuing to live in New Zealand.
"I received more acceptance in India with my moko," she said. "People often asked if I came from Rajasthan, where face tattoos were a tradition."
She believed the two cultures had much in common.
Vasisht hoped to take the film to communities across the country to continue the conversation.
"A lot of people contributed pro bono to make this possible," he said. "We want to do more."
